"The Warrior" is a song by American rock band Scandal featuring Patty Smyth, from the album Warrior, written by Holly Knight and Nick Gilder. The song went to number seven in the United States and number one in Canada, as well as number one on the US Rock Top Tracks chart, and won a BMI Airplay Award in 1984. It was also a hit in Australia, where it peaked at number six, and in New Zealand and South Africa, peaking at number 11 in both countries. The music video for the song was directed by David Hahn.

"The Warrior"
Single by Scandal
from the album Warrior
B-side"Less Than Half"
ReleasedJune 1984
Genre
Length
  • 4:00 (album version)
  • 3:35 (7-inch version)
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mike Chapman
Scandal singles chronology
"Win Some, Lose Some"
(1983)
"The Warrior"
(1984)
"Hands Tied"
(1984)

Background edit

Co-writer Holly Knight said, "I think that idea of being a warrior had been inside me for a long time. I grew up in a somewhat 'dysfunctional' family where there was a lot of drama and fighting. I was always more interested in fighting FOR something rather than fighting with someone, and without being cognizant of it, it was a constant theme in my psyche, and hence, my songs."[3]

Track listings edit

7-inch single[4]

A. "The Warrior" – 3:35
B. "Less Than Half" – 4:18

12-inch picture disc[5]

A1. "The Warrior"
A2. "Hands Tied"
B1. "Goodbye to You"
B2. "Love's Got a Line on You"

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[16] Platinum 100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ "Rockin' 80's [Sony] – Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  2. ^ Abed, Cyrus (April 12, 2022). "33 Best New Wave Songs in the World".
  3. ^ Kawashima, Dale (August 5, 2016). "Hall Of Fame Songwriter Holly Knight Tells How She Wrote Classic Hit Songs For Tina Turner, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart and Aerosmith". SongwriterUniverse. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  4. ^ Scandal (1984). The Warrior (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Columbia Records. 38-04424.
  5. ^ Scandal (1984). The Warrior (US 12-inch picture disc sticker). Columbia Records. 8C8 39905.
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8943." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  8. ^ "Scandal feat. Patty Smyth – The Warrior". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  9. ^ "SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Songs W–Z". South African Rock Lists. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  10. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  11. ^ "Patty Smyth Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  12. ^ "Patty Smyth Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  13. ^ "Kent Music Report No 548 – 31 December 1984 > National Top 100 Singles for 1984". Kent Music Report. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Imgur.
  14. ^ "Top 100 Singles of 1984". RPM. Retrieved May 25, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  15. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1984". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  16. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Scandal – Warrior". Music Canada. Retrieved September 26, 2019.